Time kinetics of the endocrine response to acute psychological stress

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1996 May;81(5):1956-60. doi: 10.1210/jcem.81.5.8626864.

Abstract

A first-time parachute jump was chosen as a model to evaluate the endocrine response to acute psychological stress. In 43 inexperienced tandem parachutists, blood was drawn continuously from 2 h before to 1 h after the jump and analyzed at 10-min intervals for plasma concentrations of epinephrine (E), norepinephrine (NE), cortisol, GH, PRL, and TSH. In addition, heart rate was recorded throughout the experiment. There was a significant increase in heart rate and E concentrations during the jump itself. NE, cortisol, GH, PRL, and TSH peaked with a latency of 10-20 min. Apart from cortisol and TSH concentrations, which were still elevated 1 h after the stress event, plasma levels of the other endocrine variables normalized within 1 h following the jump. Statistically significant cross-correlations could be observed between E and NE (r = 0.60, no time lag) and between E and PRL (r = 0.58, 10-min time lag) only. Even in a very homogenous group of subjects and under well-controlled conditions, endocrine responses to acute psychological stress show considerable variations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Epinephrine / blood
  • Growth Hormone / blood
  • Heart Rate
  • Hormones / blood*
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / blood
  • Kinetics
  • Male
  • Norepinephrine / blood
  • Prolactin / blood
  • Stress, Psychological / blood*
  • Thyrotropin / blood

Substances

  • Hormones
  • Prolactin
  • Thyrotropin
  • Growth Hormone
  • Hydrocortisone
  • Norepinephrine
  • Epinephrine